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Updated: Feb 27, 2026
The Corneal Micropocket Assay: A Model of Angiogenesis in the Mouse Eye
Published on: August 16, 2014
Blockade of MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibits corneal lymphangiogenesis
Hai-Tao Du1, Ling-Ling Du1, Xian-Ling Tang1
1Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 Youzheng St., Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, China.
Purpose:
To investigate the roles of a selective MMP-2 and -9 inhibitor (SB-3CT) in corneal inflammatory lymphangiogenesis.
Methods:
The expression of MMP-2 and -9 in the cornea after suture inplacement, treated with SB-3CT or negative control, was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Inflammatory corneal neovascularization (NV) was induced by corneal suture placement. Mice were treated with SB-3CT eye drops (twice daily for 1 week, 5 μL per drop; 50, 100, or 200 μM). The outgrowth of blood and lymphatic vessels, and macrophage recruitment were analyzed by immunofluorescence assay. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and its receptor VEGFR-3 were tested by real-time PCR.
Results:
MMP-2 and -9 expression were suppressed significantly by treatment with SB-3CT. The data demonstrated, for the first time, that SB-3CT strongly reduced corneal lymphangiogenesis and macrophage infiltration during inflammation. Furthermore, expressions of VEGF-C and its receptor VEGFR-3 were significantly inhibited by SB-3CT during corneal lymphangiogenesis.
Conclusions:
These novel findings indicated that blockade of MMP-2 and -9 could inhibit lymphangiogenesis. Further investigation of this factor may provide novel therapies for transplant rejection and other lymphatic disorders.
